Lawmakers award Medal of Honor to officer who saved child from plane crash

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Timothy Lindsey II, an officer with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, was on Thursday awarded the Legislative Medal of Honor for Law Enforcement Officers.

In June, Lindsey braved the burning wreckage of a plane crash to rescue a seven-year-old child, the crash's sole survivor, according to information from the Alabama Legislature.

He was previously recognized by the Legislature for helping to save a car accident victim trapped in a burning van.

Lindsey did not seek credit for his actions after the plane crash, and news organizations dubbed him the "mystery man" as they sought his identity.

"That's what heroism is all about: the anonymous act of risking one's life to preserve another," said Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey.

Lindsey thanked lawmakers for the honor but showed humility through the praise, saying that he was merely "in the right place at the right time."

"I know over 100 guys that put on this green-brown uniform that, put in the same situation that I was in, they would have done the same thing I did," he said.

Lawmakers recognized 19 other law enforcement officials nominated for the award:

Officer Mickey Brantley of the Huntsville Police Department

Corporal R.E. Tucker and his police dog, "Bodi," of the Montgomery Police Department

Officer George William Taylor of the Cottonwood Police Department

Officer Brian Nalley of the Birmingham Police Department

Officer Tommy Tyler of the Birmingham Police Department

Officer Deangelo Hall of the Birmingham Police Department

Officer Robert Stewart of the Birmingham Police Department

Officer Frank Alexander of the Birmingham Police Department

Sgt. Kenneth Smith Jr. of the Birmingham Police Department

Lt. Beverly Peterson of the Birmingham Police Department

Officer Donald Reese of the Birmingham Police Department

Officer Katherine Snider of the Birmingham Police Department

Officer Willie Willis of the Birmingham Police Department

Officer Charles Wilson of the Birmingham Police Department

Sgt. Cassidy Lambert of the Arab Police Department

Cpl. Brian Faulkner of the Alabama Bureau of Investigation

Chief Johnny Grant of the Etowah County Sheriff's Department

Reserve Deputy Michael Bishop of the Etowah County Sheriff's Department